I know, I know….you parents out there have probably done enough Science Fair projects to cure you from ever thinking that they could be fun. But our Organization Fair (that looked suspiciously like a Science Fair for grown-ups) was exactly that – FUN! Click here for a run-down on this “Every Needful Thing” activity.
10 displays and 13 of our neighborhood women’s help later, it was decided that the second half to our activity was a hit! For the first 45 minutes we did our Time Management lesson where we learned how to incorporate “Planning With a Purpose” as a tool for managing our lives. It was a tremendous experience that we had together (just look at the last two posts for that lesson). The second 45 minutes was spent milling around, looking at the fabulous organization displays that had been created, intently reading the advice and ideas shared, chatting with one another and asking our “experts” how to make it all happen in our own lives.
There was way too much info offered that night for me to give it all to you here in this blog post, but if you click here, you will find the websites that were used to get started. They are a huge help on their own and I would highly recommend you printing them off and adding the information to your notebooks. I will also give you some of the tips that each teacher shared in their displays.
I was humbled and amazed by the effort that went into these displays. Each contributor had their own style and their own approach to the assignment. We were filled with so much information and friendship during this activity that we could not have asked for more when we planned it.
Kym’s display was elegant – just like everything she does (how did I not end up with her beautiful handout about how to organize the bedroom????).
Susan and Kelli’s display was creative – including the one-of-a-kind toilet paper tablecloth that they wove just for the occasion.
3-minute Bathroom Clean-up Ideas (see if you can do one a day while the tub is filling or when you finish getting ready for bed)
- toss towels in the laundry
- clean toilet
- wipe over counter tops
- straighten linen closet
- organize space under the vanity
- throw away old or expired make-up
- wipe over floors with a rag
LeeAnne’s and Diane’s was funny – although their children thought they were weird for having to take “role-playing” photos of their moms cleaning out the fridge.
Kitchen Organization Tips:
- store items where you use them
- discard mismatched containers
- square containers take up less space than round
- keep an ongoing grocery list – add to it right when you realize you need something or use the last of something
- keep cookbooks to a minimum
- store mix packets, Jell-O boxes and other small items in containers or baskets
- pick a day of the week to clean out your fridge – maybe grocery shopping day when you can make room for new groceries or garbage day so anything smelly goes straight to the garbage truck
- run your dishwasher at night when less hot water is being used and empty it in the morning
Carilee’s formula was simple and easy to follow.
Organizing Children’s Homework Papers
If you save everything your child brings home, by the time they are in college you will have a two-car garage full and overflowing with just their paperwork! – Carilee
- each child needs a folder and a spot for their folder
- have your child unpack the folder every day so you can look in it
- process the papers that need to be taken care of – tossing, saving, sending back to school
Monica’s, Becky’s, Tera’s, Nancy’s and Melissa’s were a wealth of information and inspiration.
Meal Planning and Cooking Ideas
- try one new dish a week and vote to keep it or not
- try crock potting once a week
- teach your children how to cool and assign them one day a week to choose and prepare the meal
- cook double-portions and freeze one for later
- make a menu and grocery list at the same time
- plan meals a week at a time as a family
- everyone who eats helps prepare or clean up
- come up with about 20 summer and 20 winter “go-to” recipes
Pantry Organization Tips
- pull everything out and wipe down shelves
- label shelves and containers
- arrange food like grocery store shelves (similar things together)
- have a shelf kids can reach with healthy snacks
- don’t forget the back of the door – there are shelves made just for those not-so-big pantrys
- if containers are not in your budget, try glass quart canning jars for storage
We could have spent hours together – learning from each other this way. But what I loved best, besides the fact that so many people were involved and sharing themselves and becoming “experts” in their individual assignments, I loved how they all learned something in the process.
As I mentioned previously (click here), LeeAnne organized all of her recipes for this event. Pam, who was partnered with Kristy to teach us about pantry and freezer organization, decided that she needed some hands-on experience and tackled her pantry in the process. It took her 4 hours. I heard many comments from people who said they had just found a certain website or that they had just thought of how a certain idea applied to their lives – all because they were in charge of “teaching” us through these displays. I loved that being involved in the event created a chance for individual application – for us and for the teachers.
I loved it all. Thank you to all of these amazing women for taking the time to teach us. Thank you for creating beautiful, fun, informative and meaningful displays. And thank you for the best Science Fair…I mean Organization Fair…ever!
I {heart} all of you!
